Stalk-cutter



(No Modelf) V l 2 sheets-snet 1. B. S. KENNETT..

STALK GUTTER.

N0. 371,462; Patented 061].111'1881 UNITED STATES.

PATENT QFFICE.

BERnYMAn sHnLBURN KENNETT, or FREDONIA, KANsAs.

sTALK-curjre'n.

l ASPECIPICATIONforming part of LettersPatent No. v371462', dated October 11l 1887.

Application men July 23, iss-1.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, BERRYMAN SHELBURN KENNETT, a citizen ofthe United States, re

`siding at Fredonia, in the county of Wilson and State of Kansas, have invented a new and a perspective view of -a stalk-cutter embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal'sectional .view of the same. Fig-3 is a detached perspective viewA of the cuttingcylinder. Fig. 41s an enlarged transverse sectional view of the same, taken on 4the line :v a:

.' outer sides and-form asemicircular cover, arranged over 4o vsniky-frame.

of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an enlarged, vertical 1ongitudinal sectionalview of the same, taken on the line yay of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view.

A represents a rectangular sulky -fra|ne, which is provided with a. tongue, B, for the attachment of the draft animals. Under the end bars of the sulky-frame, at a suitable distance from the rear side thereof,are secured blocks C, provided with outward-projecting spindles D, on which are journaled a pair of large supporting-wheels, E.

F represents ya pair of curved standards, which are arranged on the cross-bars of the sulky-frarne at suitable distances from the ends thereof and are bolted thereto, and the said standards are connected by a series of 1ongi' tudinal slats, G, which are secured to their H, the open .central portion ,of the y The seat I for the driver is attached to this c over. To one of the standards F is fulcrumed ahand-lever, K, provided with aspring-actuated locking-bolt, L, which is adapted to engage a segment-rack, M, and

thereby lock the lever in any desired position. N represents a rectangular open frame of suitable size, which has its front bar, O, connected to the front side of frame A by means of hinge-bolts P. The saidframe N is thereby adapted to swing vertically. `'lhecentral portionsof the hand bars or frame N are provided with transversealigned openings, in which are serial No. 245,103. (no mattei.)

Vjournaled the reduced and screw-threaded, as at S.

T represents a series of circular metallic plates, which are arranged in pairs on thebar 'R at suitable regular distances apart,

said plates are each lprovided with a series, preferably four, of open radial slots Uof suitrims of the plates. The latter f' have square holes in their centers to receive thesquare bar R, and, consequently, theplates T are caused to'rotate with the said .bar when the latter is turned. Y The plates T, which are arranged at the ends of the bar R,'are not provided with the open slots U. Between each pair of circular plates are arranged a series of segmental cutter-plates, W, which are adapted to fit in ends of a bar, R,wlj.iich baris square in cross-section and has its extremitiesv and the 6o .able depth. Between the said slots are transg verse openings .V, which are arranged near the `the spaces between the radial slots U, and have their outer edges provided with serrated te'eth X. The said segmental cutter-plates are further provided with radial slots Y, which coin: cide with the openings ,V of the circular plates and transverse bolts Z, which pass through the said openings V serve to secure the segmental cutters between the circular plates and permit the s'ame to be vradially adjusted therein.

A represents a series of longitudinal cutters, as shown. The said cutters fit in -the radial slots U,-extend transversely across the entire series ofcircular plates, and are provided at their inner edges with openings B.

which have their outer edges sharpened,

and through the slots Y, and

C represent bolts, which extend through A transverse openings made inthe barR and through the opposing ends of swivels D', theV outer'ends of which are connected to the cutters A by means of bolts or` rivets E', w ich .extend through the openings B and through aligned openings in the ears of the swivels. Each bolt C is provided withaclamping-nnh F', by means of which the cutter-bars A may be firmly clamped in. the slots U, .as will be readily understood.

G represents an elevating chain or rod,

ICO

which extends from the inner end of lever K' to the -rear side of the frame N, and thereby adapts the latter to Ybe raised or lowered -by' means of the hand-lever.

The operation of my device is as follows:

motion and is being drawn'across a field of harvested'corn or cane, .the frame N is lowered, s o as to cause the cutting-roller to roll upon the ground. The canes or stalks which lie longitudinally in the track of the machine will be cut into short pieces by the cuttersA, and the canesor stalks which lie transversely or at angles in the path of the machine will be cut intopieces by the sharpened serrated teeth of the circular cutters'. By thus providing the cutting roller or cylinder with both circular and straight longitudinal cutters I am enabled to dispense with the devices commonly employed in this class of machines to arrange the stalks or canes in advance of the e cutting cylinder or roller, and consequently reduce the cost of the machine, and also greatly reduce the raft thereof.

It will be readily understood from the Toregoing description that in the event that any portion of the rotating roller or cylinder becomes broken thesame may be readily removed and replacedfby a duplicater part. By enabling the cutting-segments W to be adj usted radially between the circular plates the same may be When the machine is in .used for a long time, as they may be extended .little farther beyond the peripheriesof the circular plates each time that their serrated teeth are sharpened. i

Having thus described my invention, I

claim- 1. The combination, in a stalk-cutter, of a .between said plates ters mounted in said'shaft, and a. series of longitudinal cutters arranged below the `circular cutters and embracing the latter, substantially as described.

2. The combination, in a slalk-cutter, ofthe rotating plates T, mounted-on the common shaft, the serrated segment-cutters secured on each of said plates, and longitudinal cutters and guarded therein, as set forth. e

3. The combination, ina stalk-cutter, of the shaft R and circular plates mounted therein Y and slotted as described, the segmental cutters secured to and radially adjustable relatively to said plates, and thelongitudinal cutters having their ends extending into theslots of the plates, substantially as' described.

' 4. The combination,

5o in a stalk-cutter, of the bar R, the plates Tsecured thereto and hav- I ing the radial slots U, the segmental cutters secured to thesaid plates and arranged between said slots,the cutters A,arranged transversely on the plates and fitting in the slots U thereof, and the swivels and bolts connecting theinner edges of the said cutters A,.sub'stnntially as described. f

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto axed my signatu re in presence of two witnesses.-

BERRYMAN SHELBUR `KENN ETT. Witnesses:

DANIEL CLAIBoURN, J ULIUs PEITIJoHNs. 

